Track pants



June 24, 1930. F. CHATFIELD TRACK PANT S Filed Feb. 20, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l frzz/erz/or fkAA/M NGBAMEM June 24, 1930. F. CHATFIELD TRACK PANTS Filed Feb. 20, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 Hum ATTORNEYS Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANKLIN CI-IATFIELD, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO THE MUNSING- WEAR CORPORATION, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, A CORPORATION OF MINNE- SOTA TRACK PANTS Application filed February 20, 1928. Serial No. 255,657;

My invention relates to an improved method or means of placing an elastic insert in the waist band of track pants.

Track or running pants such as worn by athletes in gymnasiui'n or track sports, are usually provided with puckering or draw tapes or strings by means of which the band of the garment is drawn snugly around the waist of the wearer. T his means of holding the waist band from slipping down over the hips, has not proven entirely satisfactory, as the strings or tapes are non-yielding and if drawn sufliciently tight to prevent the garment slipping over the hips, often prove uncomfortable to the wearer and frequently the tapes become twisted or knotted, and it is difficult to loosen or untie them and then 'too, it often happens that a tape will break at an unexpected moment and necessitate immediate renewal or repairs.

The object therefore of my invention is to provide an improved method of inserting an elastic tighteningmeans in the waist band that will dispense entirely with the inconvenient draw strings and not only present a neat, finished appearance to the garment, but will improve its fit around the waist and the hips, and be more comfortable for the wearer.

A further object is to provide a means and method of tightening the band which will be simple and inexpensive and because of the method employed, will be very durable.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following detailed description.

The invention consists generally in various constructions or combinations, all as hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification,

Figure l is a perspective view of apair of track or running pants embodying my invention Figure 2 is a detailed of a pair of track pants showing the first step in the method of inserting the elastic tightening band or insert;

Figure 3 is a view showing the second step with the plaits formed and stitched;

view of a portion Figure at is a perspective View showing the upper edge of the band inwardly turned to form a finish at the top of the garment;

Figure 5 is a perspective view looking at the inner side of the band showing the reinforcing tape that is stitched over the inwardly folded edge of the band;

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the first step of inserting the elastic band into or under the fold of one of the plaits;

Figure 7 is asimilar view showing the other end of the elastic band inserted into or under the opposite plait with the material between the plaits gathered or tucked to allow for the desired extension of the elastic band; i

,Figure 8 is an outside view showing the edges of the elastic band stitched to the gathers between the plaits, thus insuring the simultaneous extension or contraction of the elastic band and gathers; and

Figure 9 is an outside view of a portion of the band of the garment showing the position of the elastic band insert when the garment is ready for use.

In the drawing, 2 represents the leg portion of a pair of track or running pants. At the top or waistband of the garment, preferably above the hips on each side, I fold the material to form vertical plaits 3 and l and these plaits are tapered as shown plainly in Figure 3, so that more of the goods is folded or plaited at the top, decreasing downwardly to a point in the leg sections of the garment. This provides for a better fit over the hips of the wearer, while the increase in the width of the plaits or folds at the top takes up a sufficient length of the waist band of the garment to provide the desired fit at this point and cover the ends of the elastic insert. As indicated in Figure 3, the plaits are stitched on one side, but the folds are open on the other side and each fold may be turned outwardly to form a gap between it and the wall of the garment. The upper edge of the waist band, which I will indicate'by reference numeral 5, is then preferably turned inwardly to form a fold as indicated in Figures 4: and 5, and an inner reinforcing band or tape 6 is then securely stitched to the inner face of the Waist band around the garment, the upper edge of this band 6 lapping over the fold 5 and concealing the raw edge thereof and presenting thereby a neat, finished appearance to the upper edge of the waist band. When this has been done, a strip of suitable elastic material, indicated by reference numeral 7, of suitable length, has one end inserted into the gap between the wall of the garment and the fold or plait 3,01 into the fold of the plait, and in this position is firmly secured by stitching or other means. The wal l of the garment and waist band is then gathered as indicated at 8 in Figure 7, forming a series of vertical tucks between the pla-its 8 and 4 and then the other end of the elastic band 7 is secured beneath or in the other fold or plait andwhen a pull is applied to the ends of the elastic band, it will stretch and assume the position shown in Figure 8, with the gathers or tucks all straightened out and lying flat against the face of the elastic band. In this position the edges of the band, as shown at 9, are stitched to the wall of the garment and to the tucks or gathers transversely thereof, so that the band and the gathers will be extended or contracted together, the insert lying flat against the face of the waist band, and when the gathers and band are all inserted in the garment, it will present the appearance shown in Figure 9, the gathers or tucks drawing in the material over the hips of the wearer and insuring a smooth, uniform fit while the elastic insert will take up the slack in the waist band, securely hold the garment, and at the same time will allow for muscular exertion without-discomfort, the chafing or cutting action of non-extensible strings or tapes around the body of the wearer and the discomfort and annoyance incident thereto, being entirely eliminated. The yielding nature of the elastic bands will allow the athlete to run or stoop, or assume different positions that may be necessary in his athletic pursuits without any inconvenience whatever, and at the same time, the garment will present a neat, finished appearance.

I have shown the elastic bands inserted in the waist bands on each side over the hips, but these insertions may be at the front and back of the garment if preferred, or such insertions may be made at the front and back in addition to those on the sides, and it will be understood, of course, that the size of the plaits may be varied and the length of the elastic band may be increased or decreased, and invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. Track pants having leg portions and a waist portion, the upper edge of the waist portion of the trees pants having plaits on still be within the scope of my one side of the pants said plaits extending vertically and taking up more goods at their tops and thence tapering downwardly to a point, the material of the pants between the plaits being gathered to form a series of vertical tucks, the upper edge of, the Waist band being turned over and a reinforcing band stitched to cover the raw edges of the turned over portion on the interior of the waist band, an elastic band having its ends inserted under the plaits and the upper edge of the elastic material stitched to the gathered portion between the plaits.

2. Track pants having leg portions and a waist portion, the waist portion having a pair of plaits on either side of the track pants said plaits being formed vertically in adjacent relation, more goods being taken up at the upper portion of the pla-its and the plaits decreasing in width downwardly to points on either side of the track pants the material between the plaits being gathered to form a series of vertical tucks, an elastic band having its ends inserted under the plaits and stitched through the plait-s and waist portion of the pants at their ends and stitched to the gathers at their upper edges.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this l lth day of February, 1928.

FRANKLIN CHATFIELI). 

